Focal Passage: Job 31:13-23
My father worked in the mental health field for over 20 years. I saw him go above and beyond countless times for the sake of his clients. He enjoyed his work because he saw the value in all people, regardless of their circumstances. Today’s reading in Job shows us why he viewed people that way — and why we should too. All people have intrinsic value because they are made in the image of God.
Job recognized that all people are God’s handiwork, created for His purposes (Job 31:13-15). In this passage, Job reflects on how he treated those who worked for him. His servants had very few rights. Yet Job understood that God was their Creator just as much as He was Job’s Creator. Because they had value to God, they had value to Job as well.
One author states that Job saw life as theological as much as biological. We should do the same. We are to treat others as valuable creations of God, made for a purpose. God created all people to have a relationship with Him, and we must honor, uplift, and recognize the value in others just as God does. One day, we will be held accountable for how we treat people.
Brandon Johns
In verses 16-20, Job further demonstrates his care for those in need — specifically the poor, the widow, and the fatherless. These three groups are repeatedly mentioned throughout both the Old and New Testaments as people we are called to love, value, and care for.
They were dependent on the help of others, and Job had been accused by one of his so-called friends of treating them harshly. That accusation was false. Job cared for them and gave generously because he recognized that everything he had came from the Lord.
We also have a responsibility to care for those around us. I want to challenge you and your church to find a tangible way to serve those in need. Our church has a vibrant food bank ministry that serves many families throughout our community. Find one thing your church or Sunday School class can do — and do it. Let’s care for those around us.
In the final section of our lesson, Job again mentions caring for the fatherless. My family recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of adopting our daughter. Our little girl brought nothing to the table in the adoption process — except the greatest smile in the world.
God brought her into our family. Not all of us are called to adopt, but all of us can support and pray for those who are. We can also help foster families in our area with material needs. May we care for the fatherless as Job did.
Job’s love for the Lord drove him to serve others. He saw all life as sacred and valued those around him. His obedience to God was demonstrated by the way he treated people. We must do the same. We can lift others up instead of tearing them down. We can point others to Jesus — the only One who truly provides all we need. Jesus gives us value. Let’s treat others that way. B&R
